Dolph wrote:
> hey folks..
>
> I live in wet vancouver, bc. My wifes car, a 98' civic dx hatchback,
> decided that somewhere on the body to allow a lot of water in. Probably
> over a period of 1.5 weeks of heavy rain, there was enough water in the
> entire car to fill the spare tire compartment up to halfway of the
> spare tire and flood the driver and passenger cabin space with enough
> water that the ground is squishy.

WHAT??? It never rains in Vancouver! It's LIQUID SUNSHINE!

(Speaking from a relatively-dry Pitt Meadows here...

> Regardless.. I don't think that I'll ever be able to get the mildew
> smell out of the car now.. smells like old hockey equipment.. pretty
> nasty.
>
> thoughts/comments? thanks in advance.

Brutal.

Well from experience with my last Accord, I can tell you the most likely place
the water is coming in is through the hatch area - it trickles down into the
spare tire well, accumulates there, and then sloshes forward and down under the
back seats and onto the floor every time you brake. If you check, you'll
probably find the back seats are pretty wet too.

Can't offer any real suggestions of how to dry it out or get rid of the smell,
but as for finding the leak, start with the seal around the hatch, and also make
sure the tail light fixtures are in tight and well-sealed (the other common
place for water to get in).